Erica has lived through some of the most challenging realities of chronic illness — long hospital stays, years without answers, and the exhausting search for a care team who truly listens. Yet her journey is also filled with gratitude, connection, and moments of profound compassion. Today, she uses her experiences to support others through her Care Mail program and advocacy work, creating the kind of community she once needed herself.
Continue reading to learn more about Erica’s journey, the moments that shaped her view of care, and the full-circle impact she’s making today.
When Hospitalization Redefined What Care Meant
When I was hospitalized for 100 days in 2024 that was when care meant something new to me. Good care is hard to come by for us chronically ill, but when you find it and a good care team, you just feel immense gratitude and appreciation. ❤
The Long Wait for Answers: Strength Through Uncertainty
Probably the most defining moment was when I was waiting for a diagnosis for endometriosis and experiencing horrendous GI symptoms, lower right-sided pain, and experiencing hemoptysis and just extreme pain on and off my period. Waiting for that excision surgery that diagnosed me with stage IV endometriosis was arduous, chaotic, and confusing, but showed me inner strength and that I can persevere through the worst of circumstances.
Finding a Care Team That Truly Saw and Heard Her
So, when I found and established my care team of specialty doctors, that was when it felt like good care and not a task of having to find a good doctor to not gaslight me. I knew these doctors that I have worked hard to find — and took a long time — would validate me and my pain and see and hear me. Good care from this moment on felt like a feeling and not a daunting task. Previously before I found my current care team it was challenging.
Small, Quiet Moments of Care That Meant Everything
Finding my neurologist who treats me for my various rare conditions and validating my pain and providing adequate treatment for my conditions is the best act of care that may quietly go unnoticed but meant a lot to me.
Or another small moment was when I was admitted into the peds section of the hospital in a really challenging admission and the nurse had to change shifts and leave for the morning — she left me a stuffed teddy bear to comfort me while she couldn’t physically be present. That moment was so special to me, and I still use that teddy when I need comfort.
Coming Full Circle: Giving Back Through Community Care
Now, the Care Mail program I run for people with chronic illnesses, terminal illnesses, mental illnesses, experiencing grief, or enduring a hard circumstance is a full-circle moment for me. I used to be the one who needed it, and now I feel like I still need it from time to time but am able to give back to the community who has helped me cultivate and find inner strength and courage to persevere even when I didn’t think I could or want to.
Also, all of the podcasts I’m so grateful and blessed to be featured on, to be able to tell and share my story with others to remind them that they’re not alone and they can come to me if they have any questions.
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